Chapter 4 Part 1

 The next day, the 11th, a little after 6:30 in the morning. Kiriyama's group and six free groups, including Mikitani's, had succeeded in besieging Kouenji.

"What is the situation?"

“There doesn't seem to be any movement in the tent yet. He's sleeping slowly. It would be so much easier for us if he got sick and stayed in bed all day."

Mikitani started talking to the members of the free group.

"Hey, why don't we go around him and block him before he leaves the tent? If we make it impossible for him to leave the tent, Kouenji won't be able to move."

Mikitani made that suggestion, and the others in the free group agreed that it would be easy.

“If we interfere with his departure, we can delay the time it takes to reach the designated area. But what would your excuse be if a third party saw the situation? If you are going to interfere, you must refrain from doing something that can be easily recognized. "

Even if you break the rules, you should eliminate the risk as much as possible.

“Why don't you do a GPS search? Anyway, there are a lot of points to spend. ”

“Our tablets don't know where the teachers are. Do not forget that the search is not absolute. As originally planned, we'll be settling in when Kouenji clears the tent and starts moving. If you come across a freshman or sophomore, or an adult on your way to set a task, immediately open a distance of at least two meters from Kouenji.”

Kiriyama has nailed it: "Do not shorten the distance to the point of making contact." As seven o'clock approached, the situation finally changed.

"It's on the move, it's Kouenji!”

He had no idea they were watching him, and he hummed as he began to take down the tent. They were well on our way and it seemed that they had finished preparations for departure before the clock struck seven. And with your tablet in hand, you expect the exam to start at seven.

"Go."

Kiriyama decides that this is the best time to leave and head towards Kouenji. Mikitani and the other members of the free group followed close behind.

Whether or not he was aware that Kiriyama and the others were silently approaching, Kouenji did not stop handling his tablet and didn’t even look up. Even after being surrounded by a total of 18 people, Kouenji continued to act as if he were oblivious to their presence.

"Can you give me some time, Kouenji?"

They called Kouenji by name, but his gaze stayed on the table and he didn't look up. "Do you want something from me?"

This was not the way to address a superior, but Kiriyama continues without any reproach. Kiriyama is aware that Kouenji Rokusuke doesn't have any common sense.

"I didn't expect you to do so well in this special exam."

"Is this something we should talk about right now? It's almost seven in the morning. Shouldn't you hurry up and get ready to go to the designated area?"

"You know what I mean, Kouenji. You've got too many points."

Kiriyama said, since Kouenji was sounding like he didn't understand anything, but that couldn't be true.

"I want you to stay where you are the rest of the day." "Does that mean you don't want me to earn points    ?"

"Yes."

Of course, there was no way for Kouenji to shake his head when saying this.

“I don't know who you are, but you only need to think a little to realize that it is an impossible proposal. But even so, the fact that you have brought so many people means that you are prepared to interfere with my plans even if I ignore it, right? "

“It is not good that you are in a group alone. I acknowledge that you have made great progress so far, but your results will most likely drop in the second half of the exam as you get tired. "

"Then you don't have to worry about me, right?"

“It is a matter of precaution. Also, it is difficult for a third year student to accept the fact that he is competing for the highest position with you, a lonely student. The following is not a bad idea, if you are willing to follow it. If you have the student council president, Nagumo, on your side, your school life will be more stable. ”

There are two options for Kouenji: he can be held back by force tactics, or he can obey and side with Nagumo.

The time is exactly 7 o'clock, and the first designated zone of the 11th appears on the tablet. After confirming it, Kouenji slowly put his tablet back in his backpack.

At that moment Kiriyama and the others were watching to see if it would move or not. "I'm going to hurry, so if you'll excuse me."

As soon as the words of rejection were spoken, Kouenji accelerated instantly and ran into the free group.

"Hey, hey!"

Although they were surrounding him, there was still enough room to sneak around, so he took the opportunity. It would be a lie to say that everyone, including Kiriyama, had not been caught off guard; they had underestimated the likelihood that he would ignore the orders of the third-year students and flee.

"I'm going after him!"

Mikitani yelled, but meanwhile Kouenji disappeared into the depths of the forest.

- "Don't be scared, you will hurt yourself if you match Kouenji's rhythm." "This is not the time to relax! We have lost it!"

“You may get the reward on a first come, first serve basis, but that's how far it goes. If Kouenji chooses to flee, he will not be able to take his time to participate in the tasks. On the other hand, if he chooses to participate with impunity in the challenge, we will be able to catch up with him there. "

Kiriyama knew that it would be dangerous to determine which area Kouenji was heading to based solely on the direction in which he fled, but he also knew that it would be impossible to hide from the GPS search. Still in a hurry, Mikitani started running after Kouenji.